Multistage sleeve valve



March 25, 1952 F. H. RUED MULTISTAGE SLEEVE VALVE Filed Aug. 23, n1946 FI. E l

2 sHEETs--smma'rl 1 March 25, 1952 F H RUED 2,590,466

MULTISTAGE SLEEVE VALVE Filed Aug. 25, 1946 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Fl l'l E w. md mw J FIE 4 Patented Mar. 25, 1952 v2,590,466 MUL'rIsrAGE SLEEVE VALVE Fred H. Rued, Lafayette, Calif., assignor to The Felton Water Wheel Company, San Francisco, Callf'., a corporation of California Application August 2s, 194e, serial No. 692,446

. i7 Claims.

Myinvention relates to meansfor controlling Vf iuidiiow particularlyhydraulic fiow'in pipelines and Vis y{especially-concerned -W-itha valve for use inrelatively large installations for Yreducing the 'pressure from the upstream side to the A down- "stream side andior accomplishinga substantial lpressure difference therebetween as well as `for interrupting the-owcombletely.

AIn Vlarge water works and similar hydraulic installations, there Iis often utilizeda valve for the riifPQSe. vf,fedi1 1-1`g Pressure and. for pire- 'ventme ma come@ some instances, aeree especially in-dicatedjthe usefof a valve ofthe type f sh'own in the co-pending application rof lra Morgan VjtlVhi-te, Serial No. A492 -2I8Lflled J une 25, )1943 entitled Val-ve, now -Patent 2,416,737 of Madama., Y ,o ,Y n,

In the mentioned White application, there is provided a cradle vor casing or an interrupted peripheral extent "which is insertableinto a pipe line land whi'chitself containsa'movable element fof va stream linediorm adapted`tobe moved -between an openfposition permitting free hydraulic flow Aand a closed position in which the movable element seats andeff'ectuates a complete closure Ttopreclude hydraulic ilow.

It sometimes occurs in practice that the pres- Ysure drop across the valve vis lsuch that the valve "in an intermediate position, that is in a position between vful-ly opened and fully chiesti-p'ositions,V is 'susceptible to a hydraulically induced vibration customarily or often of a sonic `or audible irequency. rIhis vibration 'is not only unpleasant, but is indicative of deleterious forces accompanyl'ing the Areduction in the pressure of ythe fluid in A`ja way which destructive of the valve itself. In fact the service life of a valve in which this jsonic "vibration occurs is so short as to be un- `eco`nomic.

It "is thereforeanpbject of my inention to pro vide a hydraulic valve in which pressure reductionisaccomplished withoutdeleterious vibration.

Another object of my linv'entic'ir'i is to provide a valveoof the seating type Capable of reducing the pressure of a hydraulic fluid between 'theupstream side and vthe downstream side in a fashion precluding deleterious effects upon the valve.

-A iurther object of my invention is in the general to improve pressure reducing valves.

An -additional object of the invention is lto providea valveof the sleeve type in 'which the motion or the sleeve isfsmoothand continuous as 'dis'- 'tinguished from vibratory,

Other objects 'of the invention are obtained in the 'ernloodime'rit 'thereof shown in the laccompanying 4drawings in which Figure l is a cross section on a central transverse plane of a multi-stage sleeve valve constructed in accordance with my invention, the valve being shown in fully open position.

Figure 2 is a cross section the plane of which is indicated by the line 22 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a detail to an enlarged scale of a portion only of the interior construction of the valve showing the parts in an intermediate or part-'closed position.

Figure 4 is a view'comparable to Figure 3 but showing the parts in fully closed position.

ln its preferred form, 'the multi-stage sleeve valve of my invention includes a cylindrical casing adapted for installation in a pipeline and having a central sternover which slides a sleeve disposed within the casing. Cooperating `with `a plurality of throttling discs on the stemis a plurality of throttling portions on the sleeve arranged to be moved with the sleeve to establish a cooperating relationship with the discs `and to establish annular passages `between the portions and the discs. Flow through theannular openings is such that the downstream pressure beyond each opening is substantially half of the upstream pressure in advance of the opening. Additionally there is provided a valve seat and a seating ring on the stem and sleeve so that in one position the now over the discs and between the seat and ring is prevented.

In kthe particular embodiment of the invention selected for illustration herein, there isprovided a cradle" or framework 6 having an upstream flange 'I provided witha bolt circle 8 designed for connection of the vilange to a cooperating flange (not shown) on the upstream portion of a connected hydraulic line. Ihe ange 'I is provided with a central aperture 9 accommodating appropriate fluid ow 'and is also equipped with webs II and I2 extendingbetwecn the ilange 'I and a comparable flange I3 in alignment therewith but spaced therefrom. Merging with the flange I3 by means of an 4intermediate Venturi section I4 is a downstreamllange I6. This is provided with` a bolt circle Il for the reception of fastenings for vsecuring the flange VI6 against a cooperating flange (not shown) on a downstream section or continuation of the hydraulic pipeline. The entire pipeline and `cradle structure is thus maintained in alignment on a central axis I8.

Adapted to be removably situated in the Vspace between the anges 'i and vI.3,is a casing'generally designated I9 and having a downstreamportion 2l and an upstream lportion 23. I'hese portions are individual pieces whichare movable toward and away from each other by means of a plurality of jack screws 24. Each of the jack screws includes a bearing portion 26 journaled in a web 21 of the upstream portion 23 and conned against axial translation by a head 28 and a noncircular boss 29. Extending beyond the boss 29 is threaded stem 3l screwed into an appropriately threaded socket 32 formed in the downstream section 2l. By rotating the screw jack upon application of a tool to the boss 29, the upstream portion 23 and the downstream portion 2\I can be caused to approach each other so that their overall dimension axially is less than the distance between the flanges 1 and I3. These portions together can then be withdrawn laterally or transversely from the section, or if the screw jacks are turned in the reverse direction after these .portions have been interposed between the anges 1 and I3, they can be expanded into tightly abutting relationship therewith.

Since preferably three equally spaced screw jacks are utilized, I provide means for simultaneously rotating all of them in the same sense or direction in order to impose a uniform motion on all parts of the Structure. For that purpose each of the jack screws is provided with an integral sprocket 33 and all of the sprockets are encompassed by a sprocket chain 34. Thus, when any one of the heads 29 is rotated, all of the jack screws are simultaneously actuated and in the same sense. With this arrangement, when the jack screws are tightened, the upstream section 23 is caused to approach the ange 1 and jam a packing ring 35 into position deforming it sufficiently to provide a fluid tight joint. In a similar fashion, a packing ring 36 interposed between the downstream section 2I and the flange I3 is adequately deformed to provide a tight connection with the flange I3.

Not only is the pressing action of the upstream portion 23 against the flange 1 utilized to effectuate compression of the packing 35, but this force is likewise utilized to secure in place a central stationary stem 31. This stem is a symmetrical body disposed co-aXially with the axis I8. It is formed on its upstream end to provide a ring 38 suitably receivedand appropriately guided between the end of the section 23 which is recessed for the purpose and the ilange 1 which is comparably recessed. Thus the ring 38 and the stem 31 are rigidly although removably mounted. The length of the stem 31 is such that when released it can be slightly displaced from then iiange 'I and retracted transversely from a position between the ilanges 1 and I3.

The stem ring 38 is formed integrally with a plurality of webs 39 together constituting a body cruciform in cross section and extending to a terminus 4I. The end of the stern is exteriorly received `within a non-corroding sleeve 42 seated in a central annulus 43 integrally incorporated in the structure of the downstream section 2|. With this arrangement, the stem 31 is always readily removable from and insertable into the sleeve 42 despite protracted use and wear and yet is always held in accurate axial alignment therewith. In the structure as so far described, there 1s provided a substantially unobstructed path for iluid ii'ow from the upstream ange 'I to the downstream flange I with a diversion OQCaSIOHBd by the stem 37.

To cooperate with the stem 31 in performing a valving function, there is provided a sleeve generally designated 5l arranged for sliding 4movement with respect to the casing I9, that is with respect both to the downstream gestion 2I and to the upstream section 23 thereof. The sleeve 5I adjacent its downstream end is provided with a cup 52 adapted to act as a cylinder in sliding upon a bushing 53 surrounding the cup 43 and having a packing 54 to preclude leakage between the cup 52 and the bushing 53. Additionally the sleeve is enlarged into a piston 56 having a packing ring 51 around the periphery thereof and engaging an interior bushing 58 lining the downstream section 2| in itself forming a cylinder. Since the packings 51 and 54 effectuate a fluid tight closure between the piston portion 56 and the interior 59 of the downstream portion 2I, there is afforded a chamber for assisting in operating the sleeve 5 I. To govern the pressure acting on the piston portion 56, communicating with the chamber 59 is a conduit 6I connected through suitable valving (not shown) to a source of iluid under pressure and to drain alternately.

The sleeve 5I on its other or upstream end is slightly enlarged to receive a packing ring 62 and to engage a lining 63 constituting a cylinder disposed within the upstream portion 23 of the casing I9. Since the portion of the sleeve adjacent the packing 62 is always exposed to substantially the full upstream pressure, and since its diameter and area are less than the diameter and area of the piston portion 56, it is possible by opening the conduit 6I to downstream or atmospheric pressure to have the valve opened by the upstream pressure exerting its force against the exposed portion of the sleeve 5I. If the upstream pressure itself or some other relatively high pressure is exerted through the conduit 6I upon the piston 56, the greater resulting force overcomes the force upon the upstream end and causes the sleeve 5I to move toward the upstream end and toward or into closed position.

With the arrangement as so far described, the sleeve 5I is translated by hydraulic pressure between a downstream, open position as shown in Figure 1 and lan opposite or upstream, closed position.

In order that the sleeve will operate as desired in its intermediate travel, I preferably provide means for reducing the pressure through the valve not by a single stage but preferably by two or more stages. Further, I provide means so that the valve also acts as a. com-plete closure. As a. result of experimentation in connection with a valve of the approximate coniiguration di's closed herein, I have determined that no deleterious sonic vibration occurs when the pressure drop through the valve is divided suilciently so that the upstream pressure across a valve seat does not exceed about twice the downstream pressure on that seat. Thus when the upstream pressure and the downstream pressure are known initially it is possible to select the number of stages of valving to be utilized by maintaining the selected relative ratio of upstream and downstream pressures per stage. In the present instance, there are two such stages and for that reason the stem 31 is enlarged on its upstream portion to provide a disc 66 having a hard-faced periphery 61 in order to reduce the wear due to abrasives in the fluid and is likewise provided with a second disc 68 similarly supplied around its periphery with a hard facing 69 for a similar reason. The discs 66 and 68 are spaced apart along the axis of the stem 31 in order to denne a chamber 1I therebetween. This chamber is not entirely unobstructed being in part filled by the fins or flanges of the prnciform stem in the psent instance, but it iwf not constitute a v insert Tl.

ccmnion volume between the flanges 5,6 and 68..

Designed to cooperate with vthe 4two .discs B5 andt is a culi `12apprcpriately mounted-in the sleeve 5i .and Vc ohiined tomove therewith. The cuff .l2 has a tapered portion 'i3 in which a wear,- resisting insert M is provided and similarly is provided with a reduced diameter, conical or tapered portion 16 itself having a wear-resistant The relative position and diameter of the inserts 14 and 'Vl with respect to the diameter and position of the peripheral facings El and ,59 on the discs are such that when the sleeve 5l and correspondingly the cuff 12 ismoved to the right in Figurel, or toward valve closing position,

there are dened two annular openings between the -respective sleeve insert lportions and thediscs. These twcopenings act as `throttle passageways for the restricted conduct of the hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve. The restrictions provided by these openings are both gradually increased as the sleeve moves toward the right or toward the upstream end, but in every instant position the area of each annular opening is such that the pressure on the downstream side thereof is substantially half the pressure on the upstream side thereof. The effect of the chamber 'Il between the discs is to permit conversion of kinetic energy of the iiuid passing through the first annular opening so that the pressure drop through it is as indicated and so that a similar throttling action can take place through the ensuing annular opening around the disc 68.

Fluid passing over the disc 68 then flows along the stem 31 and finally through the Venturi por tion I4 downstream.

As the sleeve 5I moves in an upstream direction toward closedposition, the inserts 14 and 'l1 approach the discs closer and closer but never come into actual physical contact therewith. When the amount of flow through the valve has been suiiciently reduced, and when the annular openings are nearly negligible in area, it is possible to change from a multi-stage throttling operation to a single-stage final throttling operation without objectionable vibration. There is no seating arrangement provided in connection with the disc 68 and its cooperating sleeve portion 11, but there is provided a seating mechanism in connection with the disc 6e and adjacent sleeve portion 14. The disc 66 is provided with a hard facing 8l which may in fact be a continuation of the peripheral facing 6l but is of a conical contour having a greater convergence. Designed to mate with or abut the portion 8l is a valve seating ring 82 of wear-resistant material having the same conical convergence as the portion 8| and designed to be brought into abutment with it with suiicient' pressure to preclude any hydraulic flow through the valve. The abutment of the portions 8| and 82 serves also as a stop for any further closing 'motion or upstream motion of the valve.

When the valve is initially opened, the sleeve 5l moves toward the left in Figure 1 or toward the downstream side and initially the iiow is entirely controlled by the single-stage throttling occurring between the seats 8l and 82. No difculty with sonic vibration has been experienced when the flow is as slight as occurs initially. Promptly after the now has started however, the throttling eiect occurring between the facing 69 and the sleeve portion 'Il and between the facing 6l and the portion 'i4 is eiiective to provide a multi-stage pressure reduction preclusive of the generation of sonic vibration.

lzllwagldal with u?? l-Velllm hl'efl?, there is provided a multie'stage sleeve valve ich can be introduced into andwiihdrawniransvereda-@1f @hydraulic line aad'whifc'h' is leiective .tobe actuated lhyldl'aulically from a remote point 'from vancpen position to a 0105611 pitio'nand vice versa and to beheld 1in any intermediateposition yfor.protracted Operation. There is provided a valvein which duringmost o'f the intermediate travel or positioning of the valve `the pressure drop across the valve isaccomplished in apluvraljlity of stages so that no deleterious strainsare set up and which the nnal closing cr initial openingv movement is accomplished but by a single stage.

,I claim:

l. V.A m-u'ltiestage sleeve valve comprising a cylindrical -casing, a central stemin said casing," a sleeve surrounding said stem and slidable within said casing, a plurality of axially spaced 'throttling discs on said stem, a plurality of interior1yconical throttling portions on said sleeve movable with said sleeve into simultaneous throttling relationship with said discs, a stop for said sleeve on said stem, and an abutment on said sleeve independent of said throttling portions for engaging said stop with said throttling portions spaced from said discs.

2. A multi-stage sleeve valve comprising a cylindrical casing, a central stem in said casing, a sleeve surrounding said stem and slidable Within said casing, a plurality of throttling discs on axially spaced apart said stem, a valve seat on one of said discs, 'a plurality of axially spaced interiorly conical throttling portions on said sleeve simultaneously movable with said sleeve into close but spaced simultaneous throttling relationship with said discs, and a seating ring on said sleeve movable with said sleeve into abutting relationship with said valve seat with said throttling portions spaced from said discs.

3. A multi-stage sleeve valve comprising a casing, discs within said 4casing spaced apart to dene a chamber between them, a sleeve movable within said casing and having a plurality of conical portions overlying said discs in close but spaced cooperating relationship therewith to control flow over said discs into and out of said chamber, and abutting seats on said sleeve and on one of said discs and independent of said conical portions for stopping iiow into said chamber.

4. A multi-stage sleeve valve comprising a casing for installation in a hydraulic line, discs within said casing spaced apart to define a chamber therebetween, a sleeve movable within said casing, conical portions on and movable with said sleeve into positions with respect to said discs to define simultaneously andA correspondingly variable annular openings for throttling hydraulic flow both into and out from said chamber, the spacing of the upstream one of said conical portions from the adjacent one of said discs in all positions thereof being less than the corresponding spacing of the downstream one of said conical portions from its disc, and abutting surfaces on said sleeve and on one of said discs to stop relative `approaching movement of said sleeve and said discs.

5. A multi-stage sleeve valve comprising a casing, discs within said casing spaced apart to define a chamber, a sleeve movable within said casing, conical portions on said sleeve movable therewith simultaneously to encompass said discs for simultaneous and corresponding variable amounts of throttling, a valve seat on one of said discs facing said chamber, and a sleeve seat on said sleeve and independent of said conical portions engageable with said valve seat.

6. A multi-stage sleeve valve comprising a casing, a stem, a plurality of discs within said casing axially spaced apart on said stem to define a chamber between them, a sleeve surrounding said stem and movable within said casing, conical portions on and movable with said sleeve toward said discs to define therewith simultaneously and correspondingly variable annular openings for throttling ow into and out from said chamber, a stop on said stem, and a stop portion of said sleeve in addition to said conical portions for abutment with said stem stop.

'7. A multi-stage sleeve valve comprising a casing for installation in a hydraulic line, a stem supported on said casing in an axial position therein, radial discs on said stem within said casing and spaced axially apart to dene a chamber between them, a sleeve encompassing said discs -and movable axially within said casing, conical portions within said sleeve spaced axially apart to dene annular openings between said portions and saidvdiscs, a stop on said stem, and a stop portion on said sleeve independent of said conical portions for abutment with said stem stop.

v FRED H. RUED.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the [ile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

